Adventures in genealogy

Big Plans: 11 Genealogy Goals for 2011

It’s that time of year again! The 101st edition of the Carnival of Genealogy asks us to make our genealogy research and writing plans for 2011. But before I can look ahead, it’s time to take a peek in the rear-view mirror for a moment because one year ago today in the 87th COG I listed my genea-resolutions for this year. How did I do? Well, I said I would:

Go to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City – DONE! I attended the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference in April, 2010. While I was there, I was able to complete a lot of research in the library and I had a great time meeting my genealogy and blogging friends.

Go back one more generation – FAILED, but not for a lack of trying. My main goal was to find the birth record of my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Miller Pater. I tried, and my hired researcher tried, but it hasn’t been accomplished – yet. I chose two other lines to “go back” on but didn’t quite get to those either. It’s too bad I didn’t name my Zawodny and Ślesiński lines last year, because I did go back one more on each.

Keep writing – FAILED MISERABLY with too few posts here and almost no magazine articles (only one published this year, and one that’s been “on hold” by the magazine for about eight months).

Find photographs – FAILED. I can’t believe I can meet so many second cousins virtually and in person and not see a single photograph of any of my grandparents or great-grandparents. Maybe next year…

That was then, this is now. The best thing about celebrating the New Year is starting over, and you need a plan to get started. I tried listing just a few things last year and didn’t quite accomplish them. But I’m pretty optimistic this week after a not-so-great-year, and I’m ready for new challenges. So why not come up with eleven goals for 2011? (Note To Self when I read this next year: don’t wait until the last minute to write your “goals for next year” post, and do it before drinking some wine.)

Here is what I hope to accomplish with my genealogy in 2011 (in no particular order of importance):